Dropout Prevention Committee Appoquinimink School District Committee member

Dropout Prevention Committee Appoquinimink School District

Committee member • • • Norm Abrams Chris Beck Darren Blackston Mike Breen Cyndi Clay Felecia Duggins Katie Gallucci Ray Gravuer Cathy Holland Lorraine James Sandy Joswick Jeff Klein • • • Jessie Lauver Elaine Mc. Call Rene Nolan Debbie Panchisin Sharon Pepukayi Kittie Rehrig Melissa Stilwell Suzanne Street TJ Vari Jackee Wade

Role of Committee: • Set a goal for dropout reduction that is specific, aggressive, achievable, and measurable and develop a plan for strategies to achieve our goal

Review of 2011 District Data Dropout Rate New Castle County Schools and Appoquinimink 6 5 Dropout Rate 4 3 2 1 0 Appoquinimink New Castle County 2008/2009 2. 5 5. 7 2009/2010 4. 1 3. 7 2010/2011 2. 4 3. 8

Review of 2011 District Data • 90% of students started and graduated 4 years later. • The students most likely to drop out: – Students who are Latino – Students who have Disabilities – Low income

Committee Work • • Analyzed data Evaluated research articles Reviewed current programs in ASD Established strategies

Establishing Strategies • Survey was given to all committee members asking them to evaluate each strategy on how much it will benefit students. Year 1 Strategies (Year 1) • Ensure that all instruction is rigorous and relevant. • Early Warning System: Process to identify the potential dropouts and track them to document the interventions are successful. ** • More consistent parent outreach - Improve parental involvement (Notify parents that their child is on the early warning list. ) • Identify a dropout liaison for each school who will review data, manage the services, tag retention • Create graduation plans for identified students • Support legislation for mandatory attendance to be age 18 ** • New Student Orientation process – review students enrollment history to determine if they have attended many schools. • Identify 3 times per year to review students who drop out (first week and 2 others times) • Review ISS to include individualized conferencing Impact on Student Outcome Score 43 40 40 39 39 37 35 34 28

Recommendations for Year 1 Early Warning System: More consistent parent outreach Identify a dropout liaison for each school Create graduation plans Support legislation for mandatory attendance to be age 18 • Support new students who have attended many schools • Identify 3 times per year to review students who drop out • • •

Recommendations for Year 2 • Cross grade conversations regarding curriculum expectations and students • Creative scheduling for students who have earned all their credits midyear • Limit retentions • Conduct home visits

Recommendations for Year 3 • Targeted interventions beginning at kindergarten • Assigning trained advocates/mentors • Targeted professional development in reading, writing, and math strategies. • Creating a smaller community of learners • Group counseling support for identified students • Review of summer school programming • Career and campus readiness

Long term Strategies • Preschool for economically disadvantaged or for all/early intervention • Improve ratio of related and mental health services • Multi age/grade program for students who are behind • Lower class size in lower grades for students identified through at-risk system • Recovery programs for students who have dropped out • Credit recovery during school day • In-district and in-building opportunities for students with significant academic and behavior needs

Long term Strategies • • Flexible school day Extended school day Vocational opportunities Hybrid classes/online Extended school year / year-round school Peer mentors Career and technology support for lower SES students/families

Any Questions?